Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

LOS ANGELES,
CALIFORNIA--A judge on Tuesday declared a hung jury in the case of a former
Inglewood Police officer accused of using excessive force during the arrest of
a teenager last summer.

The jurors had deliberated for three days over whether Jeremy Morse
assaulted Donovan Jackson under color of authority. They were deadlocked 7-5 in
favor of conviction when Judge William Hollingsworth Jr. called it a hung jury.
The jury needed a unanimous vote to convict or acquit Morse.

Prosecutors have until September 22 to decide whether they will retry
Morse.

On July 6 of last year, a video camera recorded part of Morse's arrest
of Jackson, a black 16-year-old who has a developmental disability. Images of
Morse picking up the hand-cuffed Jackson by the back of his collar and belt,
slamming him onto the trunk of a police cruiser and then punching him in the
head were later broadcast on national television.

A coalition of local government, church and community leaders
successfully urged the community to stay calm after the jury's decision was
read, in hopes of preventing a riot. The trial had brought back memories of the
1992 riots which broke out after white police officers were acquitted of
assault charges in the videotaped beating of Rodney King, a black motorist.

Jackson's parents said the teen has difficulty understanding and
following instructions. Prosecutors suggested that may have been why he did not
immediately follow police orders.

Both sides agreed that Jackson resisted arrest and made suspicious
motions, including putting his hands in his pockets.

During his testimony, Jackson was not able to describe some details of
the incident, and gave inconsistent answers to questions about whether or not
he was unconscious during the arrest.

Morse could have received as much as three years in prison if
convicted.

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center,the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.